ESPN’s 16th Annual Best in Sports show to be telecast from Nokia in L.A.

By Jeffrey Jolson

HOLLYWOOD, CA (Hollywood Today) 3/26/08 — Though you know him from music clips rather than sports clips, Justin Timberlake insists he’s a sports junkie and managed to convince ESPN of that fact. Or at least that he can get better ratings than your average sportscaster.

The 16th annual ESPYs will be hosted by Timberlake, who will be joined by an all-star lineup of top athletes and entertainers to celebrate the best sports stories of the year. The two-hour event will move to the new Nokia Theatre L.A. Live, the new 7,100-seat venue located across the street from Staples Center in downtown Los Angeles. The 2008 ESPYs presented by HUMMER will be televised July 20 at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN/ESPN HD with additional unique content available on a variety of ESPN multimedia platforms including ESPN.com and ESPN International.

“I’m very excited to be hosting the 16th edition of The ESPYs. I can’t wait for the day of the show as I’m truly a sports junkie,” said Timberlake. “Since the last ESPYs, there have been amazing moments in sports and I’m looking forward to recapping all of them with ESPN’s diehard fans.”

In addition to his multi-platinum album FutureSex/LoveSounds, which had four consecutive #1 singles, his 2007 FutureSex/LoveShow tour, and multiple GRAMMY Awards and an Emmy, Justin Timberlake has appeared in several films including Shrek the Third, Black Snake Moan, Alpha Dog and Southland Tales. This summer Timberlake can be seen in The Love Guru, co-starring Mike Myers and Jessica Alba.

Maura Mandt, executive producer of The 2008 ESPYs said, “I’m beyond excited to have Justin as this year’s host. Not only is he a world-class music performer and established actor but he is a talented and creative producer. He brings his talent and enthusiasm for sports to the show. And this year, with Justin and a new home at NOKIA Theatre L.A. Live, The ESPYs will rise to a new level.”

ESPN has signed a multi-year deal with NOKIA Theatre L.A. LIVE to serve as the home of The ESPYs. The show had been held at the Kodak Theatre for the past six years.

“We are thrilled that ESPN has chosen NOKIA Theatre L.A. LIVE as the new home of The ESPYs,” said Tim Leiweke, President & CEO, AEG, owners of NOKIA Theatre L.A. LIVE. “As the industry’s new location for the best concerts, special events and awards shows, we are proud that The ESPYs, clearly the preeminent awards show combining sports and entertainment, will stay in Los Angeles and at NOKIA Theatre L.A. LIVE for years to come. “

The ESPYs gather top celebrities from sports and entertainment to commemorate the past year in sports by recognizing major sports achievements, reliving unforgettable moments and saluting the leading performers and performances. The 2008 ESPYs will include both sport-specific awards such as Best MLB Player and Best WNBA Player and distinguishing “Best in Sport” awards, categories that pit different sports against each other, such as Best Team or Best Female Athlete. The ESPYs are committed to the advancement of The V Foundation for Cancer Research, established by ESPN with the late Jim Valvano and announced at the inaugural ESPYs in 1993.